MOOSEHEART, IL, May 23 -- Anyone even slightly familiar with Mooseheart High School's Commencement Exercises knows that emotions sometimes spill out and flood the Fieldhouse when the valedictorian steps to the lectern near the end of the ceremony.  It is only natural--as unlike most high schoools, Mooseheart's graduates are also taking leave of their home, as well as the place of their education. 
 
But what is also true are the warmth, support and sustained applause from the audience of family, teachers and Moose members from across North America that always accompany such moments.
 
So it was with Krystal Ellsworth, Valedictorian of the Class of 2009, who asked for a Kleenex to dab her eyes -- even before she started to deliver her address. And when Ellsworth faltered briefly after saying "I'm really excited to see you here today," that applause began and built.
 
This was no ordinary crowd either. With the Moose fraternity's International Convention into its second day in downtown Chicago, there were close to 4,000 witnesses to the graduation of this class of 25.  Not only was every Fieldhouse seat taken, it was a challenge to find a place even to stand. The support, from family, Moose members, alumni and teachers was immediate.
 
Ellsworth took a moment and composed herself, and laughed when someone yelled, "It's OK, Krystal!" and continued.
 
"The first thing that came to mind this morning was that not only would I have to talk in front of thousands of people but also that my class and I are graduating," Ellsworth said.
 
"Each of us has a different story to tell. But we are all here of what we were able to accomplish at Mooseheart."
 
Ellsworth recounted the things that make Mooseheart a special place, and in so doing described the reason the men and women of the Moose fraternity would want to travel thousands of miles in some cases to watch this class graduate.
 
"Here students are able to live in a safe environment that will allow them to grow, learn and be accepted," Ellsworth said. "I never knew how it felt to be accepted until I came here."
 
Ellsworth recounted some of the things she was able to accomplish at Mooseheart, including participation in basketball, band and 4-H.
 
"We are the future, and because of Mooseheart, we were given a second chance at being successful; a second chance at accomplishing life goals we never thought possible," Ellsworth said.
 
Ellsworth spent 6 years and 9 months at Mooseheart, 2 months longer than the class average. Marco Namowicz's tenure was the longest, having been at Mooseheart 12 years and 22 days on graduation day.
 
"I have witnessed six graduations -- six moments in time I never really understood the importance of, until now," Ellsworth said. "This is the time to reflect on everything we have gone through. We have bonded as a class, as friends, as family."
 
Ellsworth also commented on the support of the Moose -- support that the Class of 2009 honored with Class President Sandra Tolson's presentation of Moose International Director General William B. Airey with a check for $900 and a further $182 to Moose Charities for its ongoing "Gimme Five" fundraising initiative.
 
"I always ask myself,  'What if?" Ellsworth said. "The future would have been different for me and probably for those who are onstage with me now. I am glad I was given the opportunity to be loved by those that cared for me -- and to learn what it's like to love them in return. They are the reason I have a future - why my classmates have a future."
 
Moose Supreme Governor James J. Gallagher delivered the commencement speech to the graduates:  "You have overcome life's obstacles to this point," Gallagher said. "You have pushed through periods of disappointment and held your heads high despite challenges that most would have walked away from with their heads held down."
 
Airey also addressed the graduates, as did Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart. Finally came the moment awaited by the capacity crowd and the 25 on stage. Mooseheart Superintendent of Education Gary Urwiler told the Class of 2009 that they were all finally graduated - and caps flew into the air and everyone cheered loudly.
 
Mooseheart Class of 2009:
Nathan Chavez, Frankfort, IN Lodge 7
Reid Clifton, Macon, GA Lodge 1455
Christopher Cole, Salisbury, MD Lodge 654
Kami D'Andrea, Chicago Southwest, IL Lodge 44
Davon Davy, Elgin, IL Lodge 799
Sean Duffy, Basingstoke, UK Lodge 152
Krystal Ellsworth, Medina Valley, TX, Lodge 2196
Ethan Grasty, Hillsborough, NC Lodge 1893
Heather Hensley, Benton, AR Lodge 2567
Gabriel Kendor, Cedar Rapids, IA Lodge 304
Addelina LaBlance, Sault Ste. Marie, ON Lodge 535
Randell Martin, Vacaville, CA Lodge 1967
Blake Mason, Pekin, Lodge 916
Basheeba Mays, Chicago, IL Southwest Lodge 44
Parker Mitchell, Eugene, OR Lodge 686
Brandon Moreno, Michigan City, IN Lodge 980
Marco Namowicz, River Park, IL Lodge 2578
Aminat Odunewu, Chicago Southwest, IL Lodge 44
Sarah Perry, Cedar Rapids, IA Lodge 304
Kimberly Phillips, Grand Prairie, TX Lodge 1818
Sierra Ross, Chicago, IL Southwest Lodge 44
Alexander Ruiz, Batavia,IL Lodge 682
Sandra Tolson, Woburn, MA Lodge 1214
Stacy Torres, Chicago, IL Southwest Lodge 44
Eric Wallace, Roanoke, VA Lodge 284
 
Mooseheart Child City & School is a 1,000-acre community and school for children and teens in need of a secure home, located just south of Batavia, IL, between Illinois Route 31 and Randall Road.
 
Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.
 
Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.
 
Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.
 
Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 230 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.
 
In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.
 
Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.mooseintl.org , www.mooseheart.org., www.moosehaven.org, or call 630-966-2229.